Elizabeth Ann Bounsell, a Four-Year-Old Born Blind, Receives Sight in Both Eyes After a Single Anointing by Elder John Hackwell at Bristol (1849)

A four-year-old child born blind had her eyes anointed with oil and hands laid upon her by Elder John Hackwell. She gained the ability to see with both eyes as well as any other person. This is the second account regarding the Bounsell family in this issue, specifically detailing the healing of the daughter born blind.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

Bristol, Nov. 26, 1849. Dear Brother Pratt,—I write to inform you of a miracle that has been wrought in this branch of the Church. A child of Brother William Bounsell, four years of age, was born blind, and had been so from its birth. The parents, having faith in the ordinances of the gospel, requested the elders to administer to her. Accordingly, the mother brought the child to the elders, and Elder John Hackwell anointed her eyes, and laid hands upon her, only once; and the Lord heard his prayer, so that the child can now see with both of her eyes, as well as any other person. For which we feel to return thanks to our heavenly Father, and are willing to bear testimony of it to the world. We remain your brethren in the gospel, John Hackwell, William Bounsell, Elizabeth Bounsell.